Search age:

Search in:

Leading militant 'killed in Mali'

Dakar, Senegal: A leading jihadist militant close to top figures in the West African affiliate of al-Qaeda has been killed in Mali's desert, two senior Malian military officials said.

The militant, Oumar Ould Hamaha, known for his flowing red beard, his bloodthirsty statements to the media, and his role in kidnapping a Canadian diplomat in 2008, was killed along with two bodyguards in a surprise ambush on March 8 by French special forces in the Timetrine area, north east of Timbuktu,. the officials said on Friday.

The French military so far has not confirmed his death. But on Friday, one of the Malian military officials said by telephone from Mali's capital, Bamako: "In fact, he's dead. This is confirmed. I've seen the photographs with my own eyes. It's clear. There is absolutely no doubt."

Hamaha's distinctive beard and chiseled physiognomy, visible in a number of online harangues, made the identification of his body all the easier, the official said.